ences of weak brethren, and multiplying disaffection in various degrees against our Church."-Ibid.

In all this it is easy to see that Mr. McNeile is not satisfied, as, indeed, how can he be, with his own explanation? That he considers the absolution to the sick as a remnant of Popery, and one which ought to be immediately stripped away from the Reformed Church. He is a man of eminence-a man of talent-a man of Christian candour and courtesy, and we would wish to speak of him with respect; but we cannot help asking him if he ever read any treatise on Ecclesiastical Antiquity-any treatise upon Absolution-nay, even any commentary upon the Book of Common prayer? We would not insist upon Palmer and Bingham, but Wheatley and Mant are within the reach of any clergyman. Why did not Mr. McNeile read some one of these authors, before he came forward to condemn our incomparable Liturgy?

Every open sin committed by a man making profession of Christianity is tripled in its character; it is an offence against God-an offence against Society-and an offence against the Church. It is an offence against God, for his holy law is violated; it is an offence against society, for its regulations are broken through; and it is an offence against the Church, because a disgrace is brought against the Christian name. So fully is this last position understood, that, in all ages, public acknowledgment has been required by the Church, and that, not only when the Church was apostolically constituted, but even when Presbyterianism or Independency had taken the place of Episcopacy PENANCE is required in the Kirk of Scotland, in the Establishment of Geneva, and-eves in the Independent congregations of our day, "a brother who walks disorderly," or who avows heretical opinions, is excommunicated.

Having premised thus much, we shall illustrate our statement by taking an instance that of fraudulent gain-the party guilty has, evidently, offended God, his neighbour, and the Church. He may obtain forgiveness of God on repentance-from his neighbour on restitution (we put the law of man out of the question here, as it is but the generalized experience of "our neighbour")-but how shall he obtain forgiveness of the Church? She, if her discipline be strictly carried out, has forbidden him to approach her altars-has cut him off from her commmunion, and this she has done by the voice of her priest-speaking her laws and in her name. He must, then, acknowledge his guilt and request forgiveness, and then the Priest, again acting as the organ of the Church, declares, if he believes the penitence sincere, "I absolve thee from all thy sins."

But there is another reason which supports our view of the case, and it is that a priest is required to read this or any other absolution; and a deacon is not permitted to do so. Consequently, the very requirement of a priest to pronounce it, shows that it is something more than a mere declaration: in fact, that it means what it says. This too will explain, and explain satisfactorily, what has very much puzzled Mr. McNeile, and hundreds beside him-viz., those words in the Ordination Service, addressed by the Bishop to the Priest, "Receive thou the Holy Ghost for the work of a Priest in the

It is no longer Popish to confess and receive absolution from a priest.-ED. M. C. Expositor.

Church of God, whose soever sins thou dost forgive, they are forgiven, and whose soever sins thou dost retain, they are retained!" This is the dread commission, the exercise of which we have seen in the visitation office—both perfectly intelligible when viewed in the light of antiquity, both monstrous and blasphemous, in the highest degree, if understood as Mr. McNeile would explain them.

We are both grieved and disappointed at finding Mr. McNeile so ill-informed. We have reason to believe that his attainments are rather greater than less than those which may be taken as the average of clerical learning, and we, therefore, cordially agree with him when he says

"Another cause of comparatively limited efficiency in our Church will be found in the want of adequate training in candidates for the ministry: a collegiate education, as commonly conducted, is not enough." p.249.

There is Greek enough; and Latin enough, and Mathematics more than enough, but there is not a sufficient amount of Ecclesiastical History and Ecclesiastical Antiquities studied. Were a professorship of these combined branches of learning established in each of our universities, and candidates for orders permitted to attend lectures [for no compulsion would be needed], there is scarcely any computing how much good would be effected. A few thousands of pounds subscribed and thus expended, would do more for our Church, in the present crisis, than ten times the amount employed in any other way. But an examiniation should be required as well as a mere attendance, and the Professor should be a man at once learned and moderate, sound, sincere, and pious-in fine, an EVANGELICAL HIGH CHURCHMAN.-Church of England Quarterly Review. Vol. 8. page 269.

CONSECRATION OF DR. MOSTYN, BISHOP
OF ABYDOS, AND VICAR APOSTOLIC
OF THE NORTHERN DISTRICT.
(FROM THE CORRESPONDENT OF A COUNTRY PAPER)

In consequence of the great increase of Catholics in England, it has been found necessary, for the better administration of their ecclesiastical affairs to increase the number of vicariates. The Northern District, which comprises Lancashire, Cheshire, Yorkshire, Durham, Northumberland, Cumberland, and Westmoreland, has been partitioned into three, Lancashire and Cheshire forming one, the great county of York forming a second, and the four northern counties the third. To the superintendence of the latter district the Right Rev. Dr. Mostyn, a gentleman of eminent talents and virtues and extensive learning, has been appointed. To the clergy of this district he was previously unknown, except by the reputation of his talents and virtues. birth this gentleman is highly and aristocratically connected, being the uncle of Lord Vaux, and the cousin of Sir Edward Mostyn, Bart. By the rule of the Catholic Church, the consecration of a bishop must take place either on a Sunday or on the feast of an apostle; and Monday last being the feast of St. Thomas the Apostle, was accordingly fixed for the consecration of Dr. Mostyn, on which day the ceremony took place at St. Cuthbert's College, Ushaw, near this city. A ceremonial of so impressive a description could not fail to attract crowds of

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visitants, and accordingly, at an early hour, the roads leading to the college were crowded with carriages, chaises, gigs, and every description of vehicle. Nearly all the clergy of the district were present, amounting to fifty at least. Among the distinguished laity present, we observed Mr. Salvin, of Croxdale, and family; Mr. Witham, of I artington, and a portion of his family; Mr. and Mrs. G. Clifford, of Wycliffe; Mrs. Riddell, of Montague Square, London; Mrs. and Miss Riddell, of Cheeseburn Grange; Mr. and Miss Mostyn, the brother and sister of the bishop elect; with a number of the surrounding gentry. The ceremony commenced at ten o'clock, and lasted about four hours. The consecrating bishop was Dr. Briggs, the late vicar apostolic of the old northern district, but whose episcopal administration is now confined to Yorkshire. The assistant bishops were Dr. Walsh, the successor of Dr. Milner, and Dr. Brown, the new vicar apostolic of Lancashire and Cheshire. Each assistant bishop was attended by two chaplains, the consecrating bishop by four. The choir was filled by a crowd of assistants, robed in surplices, gorgeous copes, and all that variety of splendid vesture which the Catholic Church appropriates to each order and degree of her sacred hierarchy. After the service was concluded, and a solemn Te Deum had been sung, the clergy, leaving the Chapel, assembled in the reception room, and then the following address was presented by the vicargeneral, the Rev. Mr. Hogarth, of Darlington, to the new bishop, from his clergy:

"My lord, It is gratifying to me that I have been selected by the clergy of the northern district, now committed to your spiritual jurisdiction to present to your lordship their united congratulations, on your arrival amongst them. Although your lordship is personally unknown to us, yet the fame of your virtues has reached us through a variety of channels, and inspired us with confidence that we shall experience under your lordship's jurisdiction, as under that of your excellent predecessor, that peace, harmony, and zealous co-operation in the ministry, which should ever subsist between the bishop and his clergy. Accept, then, my lord, the congratulations and good wishes of your clergy, and permit me to express my conviction that your lordship will not find them deficient, either in devoted attachment to their bishop, or in any of those qualifications which form the character of the faithful pastor."

To this address Dr. Mostyn replied in feeling terms. In substance he said-" That he thanked them for their congratulations. Hitherto he had indeed been a stranger to them; but having now been appointed to preside over this vineyard, which they had so successfully and laboriously cultivated, he should seek a minute acquaintance with each individual labourer, and trusted that they would work harmoniously together, and that their intercourse would be distinguished by that respectful demeanour, and cemented by that love and affection which should characterise the intercourse, and ever exist, between the bishop and his clergy. To that union, that harmony, and that affection, nothing should be wanting that he could contribute. Henceforward he would be as a brother amongst them, sharing their labours, partaking of their joys, and sympathising in their sorrows. The temporal head of the Church, the prince of Christian bishops, was styled, Servus servorum Dei,'--the servant of the servants of God. In the elevation to which he was

lifted he wished to retain nothing but the humility of a servant, and to assure them that he wished to be in their regard the servant of the servants of God, and to assume in all humility, and with no offensive impropriety, the same designation that characterised the successor of St. Peter in the see of Rome. In the dignity to which I have attained, I see nothing but an exalted servitude, the whole duties of which I am firmly resolved to perform, in the full spirit of Christian humility and Christian fortitude. In point of health I may appear delicate, and in consequence of this delicacy of health I have been obliged to defer my consecration; but though weak in body, I feel strong in spirit, and knowing that the work in which we have to labour is the cause of God, who gives strength to the feeble, and wisdom to the foolish, I feel nerved to the performance of the task imposed upon me, and shall not shrink from a full participation with you in all the labours and duties of this great mission, to which, by the ordinance of heaven, and grace of God, we are in common appointed."

After the consecration, the visitors sat down to a sumptuous cold collation, and nothing could exceed the hospitality and urbanity evinced by the president and clergy of the college. In the evening, the bishops and clergy dined together, Dr. Briggs in the chair, when many admirable speeches were made. The band, consisting of many of the gentlemen of the college, attended, and played with great taste and spirit during the evening. A piece of music, composed by one of their number for the occasion, excited great admiration and universal applause.— Tablet, Jan. 2, 1841.

THE LATE ARCHBISHOP OF PARIS.

The vacancy in the French Academy, occasioned by the death of Mgr. de Quélen, has been filled by the election of M. de Molé, who, on his reception, was bound, according to the statutes of the institution, to deliver an éloge in honour of his predecessor. Of this duty M. de Molé has acquitted himself with ability and decorum, as we learn from the Univers, which gives several extracts from the discourse pronounced on the occasion. Of these we select a few:

"Born of one of the most ancient houses of Bretagne, he showed even in infancy, the qualities and the defects which give so peculiar a character to the inhabitants of that part of France. Faith, inflexibility, and courage made him a frank and loyal Breton. On leaving the college of Navarre, where the rigour of the times did not allow him to remain, he demanded and obtained from his family the permission to receive the tonsure. This was in 1790. He was then 12 years old. The clergy had already been stripped of their wealth. They were threatened with exile and proscription. Was it the ardour of faith, the irresistible sentiment of his vocation, or the instinct of his province, to oppose the torrent, and bid defiance to oppression and danger, which, under such circumstances, turned the ideas of the child towards the priesthood? Was it the fervent piety of his family? Ambition it assuredly was not.

To the moment when he was ordained a priest, in 1807, during a period, namely, of 15 years, he was fortunate enough to experience no interruption to his ecclesiastical studies; but what, according to his own account, exercised the greatest influence

We

upon his destination was, his meeting with a man, one whom I have myself known; one like whom these times no longer prepare for the future. are often led by the necessity of language, and, above all, by the want of being understood without explaining ourselves, to give the name of times to an undefined force, to a power that breaks down characters, overcomes the energy of will, and gives a colour, a physiognomy, an impression, to the men, to the classes to the societies, of all ages. Even the sanctuary is not secure against the breath of this power. The priest of the present day no longer resembles the priest of former days. The principles, the virtues are the same; these, like truth, and goodness, remain unchanged; but the form, moral as well as material, is renewed. The congregation of St. Sulpice continues; it merits the same respect, the same homage, but an Abbé Emery will never again direct it.

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Napoleon was never weary of admiring in that holy priest a certain mixture of almost primitive simplicity and penetrating sagacity, of serenity and energy, I had almost said of grace and austere ascendancy. He had called the Abbé Emery to assist him during the negotiation of the Concordat. is the first time,' he said one day to me, that I meet with a man gifted with a real power over men, and from whom I demand no account of the use which he makes of that power. On the contrary, I wish it were in my power to confide to him the care of all our youth. I should die more at my ease with respect to the future.' This Abbé Emery it was who directed the studies, and, more than the studies, the heart and mind, of the young De Quélen. When, at a later period, Cardinal Fesch came to preside over the electoral college of Saint Brieuc, it was M. Emery who advised him to attach to himself the Abbé de Quélen, as one of the most promising among the rising clergy of the day. It was not without pain nor without regret, that he quitted the Bishop of St. Brieuc, Caffarelli; he loved him as a father, and thought he was still obeying him in following the Cardinal, and consecrating himself to new duties.

"The Emperor having exiled Cardinal Fesch to his diocese, M. de Quélen remained at Lyons till 1812, when he returned to Paris to resume those functions of the holy ministry to which he felt most of all disposed, namely, the instruction of childhood and youth. He, accordingly, placed himself in the midst of the catechists of Saint Sulpice, where he had himself been formed under the direction of the Abbé Emery, of whom he had recently had to deplore the loss. He was still labouring there when the invasion of 1814 filled his French heart with anguish, while the spectacle of public misery lighted up within him that sacred flame of charity which we have seen shedding so brilliant a splendour around him. He quitted the children for the dying and wounded, with whom, in consequence of the combats fought in the immediate vicinity of the capital, the hospitals were encumbered. In a little while, a scourge more terrible even than that of war, overtook those whom the war had spared. Among the victims of typhus the Abbé de Quélen first practised those virtues of which Providence reserved him to furnish the most sublime examples during the frightful days of the cholera.

"The restoration opened to M. de Quélen a new career. In 1815, the Grand Almoner Cardinal de

Périgord, who had the direction of ecclesiastical affairs, had named him his vicar-general. Here again, gentlemen, we are placed in the presence of one of those departed men of whom we cannot hope for the return. The dignities of the Church will not again be borne as they have been. We shall not again behold that imposing combination of amenity with greatness, of sanctity with knowledge of the world, of simplicity and gospel charity with the innate habits of an ancient and illustrious descent. Such was the venerable prelate of Périgord, whose age and infirmities made him seek in the youthful Abbé de Quélen that strength which was now wanting in himself, and a well-deserving depositary of his confidence. A position so elevated afforded M. de Quélen an opportunity to make himself known under circumstances entirely new to him. Those who were concerned in the difficult negotiations that preceded the Concordat, or who took a share in them, are aware of the dexterity and tact, of the knowledge of mankind and of the laws of the Church, and of the spirit of conciliation which he then displayed. Nevertheless, even then might be seen that disposition of his character, which at all times impelled him to stand up against the powerful."

M. Molé sketched a rapid narrative of the first years of M. de Quèlen's episcopacy, first as coadjutor, then as archbishop, and proceeded next to a consideration of his political career.

"The archbishop (he said) had a seat in the Chamber of Peers. There, also, he thought he had duties to discharge. The famous speech cannot have been forgotten which he delivered against M. de Villéle's plan for the conversion of the rentes. Opinions may differ whether the step was well-timed, but all must agree in applauding the suitable tone of the language employed. The orator exercised a powerful influence over the Chamber in presence of which he spoke. From that moment, and perhaps contrary to his own wishes, his fame was no longer confined within the precincts of the temple. The political world began to judge him. It is not here the place to inquire into the extent to which the nature of our institutions allows a bishop to participate in public affairs. I must say, nevertheless that if, under the régime of the three orders, the clergy, on account of their learning and wealth, occupied the foremost place, under the influence of our present institutions, a complete change has, in this respect, taken place. The strength of the clergy remains the same, or has even become greater than it was, subject, however, to the condition of exercising it in the moral order only. Fifty years ago, when the ecclesiastics were stripped of their wealth, an eloquent voice exclaimed :-' If you drive the bishops from their palaces, they will retire to the cottage of the poor man formerly fed by their bounty; if you take from them their cross of gold, they will take up one of wood: it was a wooden cross that saved the world.'

"These prophetic words have been accomplished. It is in the cottage of the poor, after so many storms and calamities, that we find the clergy preserving a power which every enlightened mind will aid them in retaining. May they continue to succour and console those who are afflicted, and to instill into our youth obedience to the laws, and devotion to their country. They will become the sublime preservers of public order, by preparing new generations for the practice of every virtue.

There is a nearer affinity than many suppose between private virtue and public virtue, and it is easy for the true Christian to become a great citizen."

M. Molé pointed out the solicitude with which M. de Quélen laboured to prevent the popular passions from penetrating among the clergy, and to disabuse the young ecclesiastics who imagined that Catholicism might derive renewed energy from steeping itself in democratic theories. He then proceeded to expatiate on the unhappy excesses of which the archbishop's palace was twice the theatre, within a short time after the revolution of 1830. "M. de Quélen," continued the new academician, "did nothing then to justify himself against accusations which no one now attempts to revive; he awaited in silence the time when Providence would afford him an occasion to manifest virtues of which, till then, the poor and the afflicted were alone to be witnesses."

"In February, 1832, the cholera, the most fearful scourge by which humanity can be visited, broke out amongst us. It was then for the first time that the Archbishop of Paris reappeared at the Hotel Dieu he reappeared in the midst of the sick and of the dying with whom contagion had filled the hospital. He was not satisfied with distributing the abundant succour which Christian charity had intrusted to his hands; he gave up his entire stipend to the same end; he resolved that his house at Conflans should become a house of convalescence, and that the Seminary of Saint Sulpice should be converted into an infirmary. He was seen to carry the cholera patients in his own arms, and when one of the objects of his solicitude would say 'Leave me, I was one of those who pillaged the archbishop's palace,'-he was heard to reply, It is the more need, my brother, that we should reconcile you to God.' In short, gentlemen, it was in the wards of the Hotel Dieu, it was while beholding so many fathers and mothers of families precipitated into the tomb, that he conceived the idea of that admirable work of charity, the Cholera Orphans.'

"To found it and secure its continued existence, new efforts became necessary, new sacrifices had to be demanded of public charity. M. de Quélen, who had shown himself in no Church, resolved to take this mission on himself. It was announced that he would preach at Saint Roch on behalf of the cholera orphans. Poor and rich hastened at the call. Long lines of carriages, and eager crowds of pedestrians, besieged the avenues to the holy place, where the voice of the priest was about to break a long-protracted silence. If that scene, gentlemen, still fresh to the memory of many, had occurred in the days of St. Vincent de Paule or of Charles Baromæus, we should scarcely find a pencil brilliant enough, or language fervent enough, to consecrate the recollection. Let us leave all its glory to the past, but let us not depreciate the present, to which, be assured, the future will render justice. The Archbishop of Paris will not be forgotten then. It will be remembered how he broke through the ban imposed on him; how he emerged from the retreat to which violence and persecution had driven him, that he might call upon all fathers and all mothers, in whose hearts pity was not extinct, to adopt the many children whom the public calamity had deprived of those whom nature had given them to nourish and protect them.

"Should it be true, gentlemen, that there is for every man whose life merits to be told, one day,

one moment, when he arrives at the highest point which it is given him to attain; when he feels in his inmost heart a holy self-esteem beyond which it is not possible to go,-such must have been for M. de Quélen the moment when, descending from his pulpit, he beheld the crowd that surrounded him, almost stifling him under the abundance of their offerings. Women were seen to strip themselves of their jewels, and the poor man to divest himself of the mite that was to have provided the means of appeasing his hunger. Thirty-three thousand francs were on that day placed in his hands, and in a few days afterwards, at Notre Dame, he collected a sum eqally large. More than a thousand orphans were rescued by him from misery, to be brought up in those principles and habits of industry, which fitted them to become useful men and good citizens."

"From that period M. de Quélen did not again allow himself to be interrupted in the exercise of his elevated functions."

The remainder of the discourse was chiefly taken up with a dissertation on the causes that have produced the public feeling now prevailing, and which allow justice to be rendered to every species of merit, applause to every class of virtues.-Tublet, Jan. 30, 1840.

SAINT MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH,
EDINBURGH.

This place of worship, which had been closed for the purpose of making various alterations and improvements, was re-opened on Sunday the 10th inst. To prevent inconvenience from a crowd, the admission was by tickets. The body of the Church has been entirely remodelled; and, in doing so, whatever could add to the dignity of religion, or to the comfort of the congregation, appears to have been most studiously adopted. The tout ensemble of the internal arrangements and decorations exhibits as fine a specimen of elegance and chastened taste as we have at any time seen. The sanctuary has been considerably enlarged, and is enclosed by a light perforated screen of oak, carved in the richest manner, and finished by lofty pedestals supporting lights. It is a composition from the best models of the Gothic of the middle ages. On the epistle, or right side, the centre division of the screen rises in a a pyramidical form, and supports a beautiful light groined and carved oak canopy, with flying buttresses under which, on a raised platform, stands the bishop's seat. The old pulpit has been replaced by one in the light and florid Gothic style, surmounted by a lofty and beautiful canopy of the richest workmanship. The whole are from designs by Mr. Gillespie Gram, and have been executed by Mr. Trotter in a mannner which does him the highest credit. Vandyke's magnificent and invaluable picture, "The Descent from the Cross," the finest specimen of the art of which our city can boast, appears in a greatly improved state, it having been carefully lined and cleaned by Mr. Pale of London. It is placed in a massive gilded frame in the centre of the altar, surmounted by a crown of thorns, and other emblems of the Crucifixion, from which radiates a glory, finely cut and richly gilt. The Gothic frame-work of the altar-piece is a fine imitation of the black and gold, and of the Rossa Antico marbles. The candelabra pedestals are an imitation of Malachite marble; and the panels of the altar-table are of the same imitation, surrounded by white and gold. Ri

sing from behind the altar-piece, is a light and bright glory; and in the two niches, on each side the altar, are paintings, executed with admirable effect in alto relievo, of Saints Peter and Paul. These and the other paintings are by Mr. Hay, and are specimens worthy of his well-known taste and talent. The altar and its furnishings are in perfect harmony. On each side of the altar is a curtain of the richest damask, supported by carved and gilt brackets, and the floor is covered with a rich crimson velvet carpet. We cannot particularize farther, but we may notice two massive candlesticks, richly gilt of the most exquisite design and workmanship, the gift, we understand, of one of the members of the congregation. For the renovation and embellishment of this their principal place of worship, the Catholics of Edinburgh, we believe, are indebted solely to the Right Rev. Dr. Gillis, the bishop coadjutor of the district. His accomplishments and refined taste are known to many amongst us, and these have been well shown in the improvements and embellishments we have now referred to. His zeal, we are informed, has executed the whole, without any assistance from the congregation, and he has thus added one to several other munificent acts, for which the Edinburgh Catholics are indebted to him.

The proceeds from the tickets of admission have, we understand, with great liberality, been assigned by Bishop Gillis in aid of the great object of benevolence now in progress of being established in our vicinity, in which Edinburgh, and, we might say, the cause of charity, feel so deep an interest,—we mean the Asylum for the Lunatic Poor. In his sermon on Sunday last, Bishop Gillis again took occasion to enforce the claims of this establishment, and after both the forenoon and afternoon services, he personally made a further collection on its behalf from the members of the congregation, which we were glad to hear amounted to a very handsome sum.-Edinburgh Chronicle.

MISCELLANEOUS.

HULL HOLY CATHOLIC GUILD.-The anniversary of this flourishing and benevolent association was held on Wednesday evening last, in the spacious music hall of the Jaratt-street Public Rooms, where a most excellent tea was provided by Mrs. Bishop, of which upwards of six hundred persons partook. The room was splendidly decorated with the various banners of the association; and the brilliant insignia worn by the members of the guild, and the bright array of elegantly dressed ladies, formed a scene the most dazzling and animating that can be imagined. The Rev. J. Render presided. After the repast was concluded, "God save the Queen" was sung by a very efficient choir, accompanied by Mr. Sigmont on the organ, the whole company joining in the chorus. After this the president addressed the assembly, and said he trusted that nothing would be said by the various speakers that evening which would be at all calculated to give offence to any portion of the numerous company which was present, entertaining as they must, various conflicting opinions, and differing, as they must, in many points. The chairman then gave, as the first sentiment of the Meeting that evening, "May the institution of the Holy Catholic Guild of St. Austin be both permanent and prosperous; and may it descend from parents to children, through many ages, as

a rich and blessed inheritance." This sentiment was received with much applause, and was responded to at some length by the Rev. Mr. Conaty, who traced very ably the origin and prosperity of Catholic guilds. The chairman then proposed the following:-"That this company gives its warmest thanks to the Rev. Peter Kay, the reviver of Catholic guilds, and gratefully acknowledges the many services he has rendered to this our own institution." Great applause followed the announcement of this sentiment; after which, the Rev. P. Kay rose, and, in most glowing and eloquent terms, responded, and depicted most forcibly the great advantages to be derived from such associations as the Catholic Guild. Several other sentiments were proposed and responded to, the last sentiment being," The members give their sympathy, and send their best wishes and their dearest brotherly-love to all members of Catholic guilds, to every mechanic, artisan, and labourer throughout this land, and to all the desolate poor, and they pray, that heaven may shower its choicest blessings on all their benefactors." Hull Advertiser.

THE REV. MR. JARRETT.-We understand that this respected and zealous pastor has left the mission at Brentwood to commence his noviciate in the Society of Jesus at Stonyhurst.

THE CATHOLIC CLERGY.-At a public dinner of the reformers of Great George Ward, Liverpool, held on Monday, Mr. Aikin proposed-"The Christian ministers of all denominations," and coupled with it the name of the Rev. Mr. Parker. In reference to the influence of the Catholic priesthood, of which body the rev. gentlemen is a member, Mr. Aikin said it was no wonder that it should be great, when it was exercised for good and benevolent purposes. He recollected that when he acted as an agent for the underwriters, there was a vessel knocked to pieces on the rocks off the coast of Ireland, and the cargo, which consisted of cotton, was strewn along the shore for miles, adhering to the rocks. On that occasion the Catholic priest of the neighbourhood not only enjoined his people to bring in all the cotton that they had picked up from the rocks, but to tell of any persons who had any in their possession, and to take it all to the agent. One morning, when he arose, he was astonished to see in the yard, not stacks of hay and corn, but little hills of cotton, that had been brought in,in obedience to the priest's orders. When he got to Dublin, the first thing he did was to procure a handsome snuff-box, and send it to the priest at Waterford, in acknowledgment of his conduct. On one occasion, he happened to mention this circumstance at his own table, when there was present a medical gentleman from London; and he (Mr. Aikin) was arguing that the influence of the Catholic priesthood was not only great but beneficial. The medical man replied that he had himself seen their conduct in the hospitals of the metropolis. They did not enter those places to stay for five minutes merely, just to read the ritual of the Church. He (the medical gentleman) had known a patient to be brought in on the Sunday in a state of great distress and destitution, and the priest was in attendance on the poor man immediately, and stopped, not for five minutes merely, but during the Monday, and Tuesday, and Wednesday, administering to the temporal and spiritual wants of the poor patient.-Tablet, Jan. 12, 1841.

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